LONDON, Aug 19 (Reuters) - WikiLeaks founder Julian Assangeberated the United States on Sunday from the balcony of theEcuadorean Embassy where he has sought refuge from arrest,demanding President Barack Obama end what he called a witch-huntagainst his whistle-blowing website.

Speaking from within the London mission to avoid beingdetained by British police who want to extradite him to Swedenfor questioning over rape allegations, Assange said the UnitedStates was fighting a war against outlets like WikiLeaks.

Comparing himself to Russian punk band Pussy Riot and theNew York Times newspaper as also deserving protection fromoppression, Assange said the United States risked dragging theworld into a dangerous era in which journalists would fallsilent. He did not mention the rape allegations.

"As WikiLeaks stands under threat, so does the freedom ofexpression and the health of all of our societies," Assangesaid, dressed in a maroon tie and blue shirt, and flanked by theyellow, blue and red Ecuadorean flag. Dozens of Britishpolicemen lined up on the pavement below.

"I ask President Obama to do the right thing: the UnitedStates must renounce its witch-hunt against WikiLeaks," Assangesaid in a 10-minute speech which he ended with two thumbs up tothe world's media.

Ecuador's socialist President Rafael Correa, a self-declaredenemy of "corrupt" media and U.S. "imperialism," granted theformer computer hacker political asylum last week, deepening adiplomatic standoff with Britain and Sweden.

Foreign ministers from across South America stronglysupported Correa's stance at an emergency meeting in Ecuador onSunday, saying countries had a sovereign right to grant asylum.

Ecuador's decision marked the latest twist in a tumultuousjourney for Assange since he incensed the United States and itsallies by using his WikiLeaks website to leak hundreds ofthousands of secret U.S. diplomatic and military cables in 2010,disclosures that often embarrassed Washington.

Assange, 41, took sanctuary in Ecuador's embassy in June,jumping bail after exhausting appeals in British courts againstextradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning overallegations of rape and sexual assault against two women.

He says he fears the authorities in Sweden will eventuallyhand him over to the United States where, in his view, he wouldface persecution and long-term imprisonment. The United Statessays it is not involved in the matter.

'WITCH-HUNT'?

To let Assange avoid arrest by stepping outside the embassy,a balcony door on an upper floor was removed, leading to hisfirst public appearance since seeking refuge in the diplomaticmission.

Despite having to stomach the defiance of Assange scoldingthe world's superpower from a balcony in its capital, Britain'sForeign Office refused to comment.

"The sun came up on a different world and a courageous LatinAmerican nation took a stand for justice," Assange, whosecropped hair indicated a recent cut, said from the balcony.

Assange's attempt to escape extradition has caused adiplomatic tussle between Britain and Ecuador, which accusedLondon of threatening to raid its embassy and casting thedispute as an arrogant European power treating a small countrylike a colony.

Foreign ministers from the Union of South American Nations(UNASUR) bloc met in Ecuador's coastal city of Guayaquil andbacked Correa's government, saying diplomatic missions must beprotected and condemning Britain's "threat to use force."

Speaking in Guayaquil -- which also hosted a meeting onSaturday of ministers from the ALBA group of leftist-led LatinAmerican nations, which includes Venezuela and Cuba -- Ecuador'sPatino said the government was considering asking theInternational Court of Justice in The Hague to adjudicate.

Patino said Ecuador had a duty to protect Assange, but heindicated that there was still room for discussion.

"If talks with Britain, Sweden, or the United States couldlead to a clear written statement guaranteeing Mr Assange's lifeand safety, it would be possible for him to go to Sweden to facetrial," Patino told reporters after the UNASUR meeting.

'FIGHTING SPIRIT'

Speaking in London, Assange praised a dozen Latin Americannations which he said had rallied against Britain, and he saidthe United States was at a turning point that could drag therest of the world into an oppressive new era.